Dareu Mahjong vs. KTT Purple Star
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the KTT Purple Star switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Dareu Mahjong, known for its unique Mahjong switches, and the KTT Purple Star, featuring the Purple Star switches. The Mahjong switches stand out with their distinctive green and white color scheme, offering a lively and poppy sound signature paired with an effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Purple Star switches boast an all-POM construction, providing a buttery smooth typing experience with a very light 45g bottom-out force, making them suitable for light typists seeking comfort and ease. While the Mahjong switch is described as 'Bouncy', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Polished', the Purple Star switch falls into the categories of 'Mild', 'Low-pitched', and 'Easy-to-press'. These general pointers can help guide your decision, however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Mahjong and the KTT Purple Star, we can see that they both offer unique qualities that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Mahjong's POK top housing is known for its smoothness and durability, making for a satisfying and long-lasting switch. On the other hand, the Purple Star's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, adding a different auditory dimension to typing. While they both excel in different areas, they both aim to enhance the overall typing experience for users.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Mahjong's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a rounder tone. Similarly, the Purple Star's POM bottom housing contributes to a pleasing and unique sound profile that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. Both materials bring their own unique qualities to the switches, catering to different preferences in sound and typing feel. While they may differ slightly in their specific contributions, they both aim to enhance the overall typing experience for users.
When looking at how the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch, it's clear that each component plays a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. While the Mahjong and Purple Star may have different housing materials for their top and bottom components, they both work together to create a well-rounded typing experience that caters to a variety of preferences and tastes in mechanical switches.
Weight
In comparing the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, we can see that the actuation force of the Mahjong is slightly higher at 45 grams compared to the Purple Star's 43 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Purple Star is 50 grams, indicating a heavier feel when fully pressed compared to the Mahjong, which has an unknown bottom out force. Both switches provide a light actuation force, making them suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience. The Mahjong offers a slightly firmer actuation force, while the Purple Star provides a more substantial feel when fully pressed. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing dynamics and desired weight of key presses.
Travel distance
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4mm, while the KTT Purple Star linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm. In this case, the Purple Star switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mahjong switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular among gamers for their faster response times. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance of the Mahjong switch too abrupt, while others may appreciate the quick and precise keystrokes it allows for. On the other hand, the slightly longer travel distance of the Purple Star switch may provide a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a bit more depth in their key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or a more tactile feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The KTT Purple Star comes in at $4.88 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of uses and users. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Star linear switch provides a low-pitched sound that is more mellow and bass-heavy compared to higher-pitched switches. While the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like keyboard and keycap choices, these descriptions give a general idea of the auditory experience each switch offers.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Mahjong switch is characterized as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback that gives keys a lively rebound when pressed. Additionally, these switches are described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with smooth key travel. Similarly, the KTT Purple Star switch is also described as mild, providing a comfortable typing experience that is easy on the fingers. The easy-to-press nature of these switches ensures minimal force is required for activation, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. While the Mahjong switch provides a neutral sound and a bouncy, polished feel, the Purple Star switch delivers a low-pitched sound and an easy-to-press typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a more lively sound with spring-like feedback or a mellow sound with gentle resistance, you can choose the switch that best suits your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience that can enhance your overall mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the KTT Purple Star linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you enjoy a bouncy and polished typing experience with a lively sound signature, the Mahjong switch may be more suited to your liking. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile and easy-to-press keys, the Purple Star switch could be the better choice for you. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches comes down to personal preference and what characteristics best align with your typing style and preferences.
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